The Secret - Jason

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12, 13 NASB)

Paul has gone through a lot.  He's suffered so much, even to the point of death and imprisonment but the one thing that he's sustained was his faith.  How did he do this?  It was because he knew the secret: God's Strengthening Spirit.  Through the Holy Spirit, his sights remained focused on eternity and not the circumstances around him.  He could navigate the obstacles of this fallen world because he kept his eyes on the distance and not to the distractions.  Always looking forward at Jesus will carry us into eternity.

I remember a teaching by Pastor Wayne on how he was taught to look forward into the turn (motorcycle class) instead of the guard rails right beside him.  If he were to look at those guardrails, he'd most certainly would've hit them.  Another example is walking a tightrope or a balance beam.  If we look at our feet instead of focusing ahead, we'll end up wobbling and falling off.  This is true with our walk with God.  The secret is to focus on eternity with the Holy Spirit as our coach, our mentor.

Father God, thank You so much for Your mighty Holy Spirit, who guides and directs our steps.  I pray Father God that a transformation continues to happen in my life, my wife's life, my whole family's life.  Help me stop looking at my current conditions an make eternal decisions based on temporal situations... I know the secret and that's You.

Be Like Christ - Jason

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3, 4 NASB)

This passage doesn't mean that we think less of ourselves, that we aren't good enough;, it means we think of ourselves less and consider others more. When we look at the life of Jesus on this earth, everything He did was framed around us, those He came to save. 

I tend to think of others more than I do, taking their feelings into consideration more than mine sometimes. But although this may be good, how long before this vessel breaks down due to lack of maintenance? God's best work is done through the overflow of my own heart and I need to care for my own spiritual well-being first and let it overflow from there on to my wife, family, friends, church and so on... The key is not to stop pouring into my life but to keep pouring and let it overflow to those around me.

Father God, thank You for the ultimate example of humility. Lord, I pray for a heart like David's so that everything I put my hands to will be fruitful and glorifying to You. But I know there aren't any shortcuts to this and I need to work from the inside-out. Lord, I ask for patience as I allow the miracle to happen. In the mighty name of Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Unified in Solitude - Jason

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6 NASB)

This passage comes from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. He was urging them about the unity of the Holy Spirit. This needs to be communicated in such a huge & great way because that's the heart of the underlying message... loving God and loving others. We cannot move forward as believers without community founded on God's Spirit. 

In this season of my life, I feel disconnected. It's that way because I'm not serving the way I'm used to. I'm not filling my plate with tasks so my mind is idle. But this is a wonderful thing. I'm not saying it's good not to serve but it's allowing me a season to find my way back... on my own with the Holy Spirit. You see, it's easy to feed off of others' faiths, listening to their ways and follow but where does that leave me in my journey? I won't advance unless the teachings and experiences are personal. I need this season and I welcome the inward growth to stand on my own. 

Father God, thank You for setting aside this season to "move out of the house" so to speak and live on my own for awhile. I know this isn't where You want me to stay but it's definitely a season of solitude where my inward journey is the focus. Lord, I pray that You continue to chip away at my strongholds so that Your glory will be evident in my life. In Your precious name I pray Lord Jesus, amen.

Enjoying His Works - Jason

Enjoying His Works

I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?

Ecclesiastes 3:22

These words by king Solomon is in the midst of saying everything is futile and the work done under the sun doesn't mean much.  But this verse, I believe, really sums up his point.  The righteous along with the wicked will go through the same things on this earth; there really isn't much difference in the circumstances.  What really sets us apart is the joy in the things we do.  Why we do something should show through passionately because it's rooted in holiness.

I've been feeling disconnected lately and I've been trying to fill it with something.  In some ways I feel like my joy has been stolen; that I'm not in a season where God wants me and so I'm cut off.  But that's not God.  The devil would love to have me feel separated from the body of Christ and do things on my own.  But this season needs to be one where I must draw closer to Him.  I need to do this by digging deep into His word... but not through academics.  I need to take what's already in my heart and be "doers of the word."  I need to strengthen my family, by my examples and lead them into God's glorious will.  I cannot fail here and it's a wonderful opportunity to limit distractions, enjoy His works, and be impactful for Christ.

Father God, thank You for always being right there even when I feel You're not.  I pray to take everything You've deposited and apply them to where I am right now, no excuses and no complaining.  In Your wonderful name I pray, amen.